Psalm 128—"Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel."
A godly man ("one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways") has the promise of a happy and holy home-life. "The fear of the LORD" is that reverent and loving regard for the LORD, which will make a man shrink from transgression (cf. Job 28:28). This fear of the LORD is the essential foundation of the truly happy home. A man’s true piety guarantees his family’s blessedness which all the wealth and fame in the world cannot secure. Godliness is the best assurance of a blessed family life. It will make his home the scene of purest joy, strongest comfort, and highest domestic happiness and family welfare.
When a man’s heart is full of love for God and the Holy Scriptures, all his motives and aims will be sublime and pure. Such a man will walk in the ways of God. In his house, he becomes an unhindered channel of supreme moral and spiritual sentiments and emotions. Truth, honesty, purity and holy love will be his pursuit. True piety is not dormant but vibrant. A pious soul will bloom and scatter the sweet aroma of divine virtues and purposes through his leadership in the home.
A man who fears the LORD will seek after divine pleasure. He endlessly pursues the joy that is in the LORD. His house will have an abundance of wholesome laughter and lyrical expressions of Christian joy. As highlighted by the famous hymn of Ackley, "Jesus is the Joy of Living, He’s the King of Life to me; Unto Him my all I’m giving, His forevermore to be. I will do what He commands me, Anywhere He leads I’ll go; Jesus is the Joy of Living, He’s the dearest Friend I know."
A man who fears and loves the LORD is like a happy, singing bird on the hedge. He makes all else sing along with him. He guides his wife, instructs his children and assures them of divine blessings. Home-life is not always easy. Like the bird on the hedge that is wary of thorns and briers around it, the pious man with divine grace in his heart leads his family safely through many temptations and trials of life.
As the saying goes, "It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest", so is an ungodly man who makes his own home wretched. Our homes must be full of love, holiness, prayer, joy and mutual care. True conjugal affection is a source of lasting and uplifting gladness in the home. Husband and wife ought to maintain throughout life the sweetness and excellency of their relationship through mutual courtesy, self-sacrifice, concession, tender ministry in health and in sickness, and united effort on behalf of others. If at any time they fail to show mutual love and respect, they should quickly repent of their errors and make every effort to live together in godly affection towards each other.
Together they must provide children with a biblical, godly, loving environment to grow up. A wise mixture of love and firmness should go into nurturing the children. Godly nurture of children demands respect and obedience towards parents; indeed, children should rejoice to love and respect their parents.
None of our homes should be like that of Eli the priest, who spoiled his children. The wisdom of God’s Word says, "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul" (Proverbs 29:17). Not to chasten our children betimes is disastrous, and it would result in ourselves being chastened for our neglect of duty! However, this does not mean that we fill our home with "fire and fury" all day long. Parents who hurt their children in rage at their slightest mistakes, will surely bring about greater trouble to themselves. The principle of biblical discipline is concisely stated in Proverbs 3:12, "For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." Love, not rage, ought to be the motivation for the parental discipline of children.
A home led by a man who fears the LORD shall be a blessing to society. Such a home will be a blessing to those around them through their godly and loving actions, exemplary conduct and many prayers for the people and the society in which they live. Godly fear is the root of domestic and national happiness and peace. Godliness, not worldliness or materialism, is the source of all divine blessings. There should be no greater goal and prayer cherished by a Christian man than his pious living and labouring in the home, church and country to the end of his life.
Pr Sujith Samuel (Vizag)
Dear Pastor,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
GBI classes for the last semester were over on Friday. Though most students attended the exam, many were not able to do well as they took exam for the first time. We will be conducting supplementary exam for some who didn’t finish the assignments. The new semester starts in the first week of January.
Thank you for giving all the courses, materials, support and guidance needed for the work here. FEBC online-classes were also very helpful for the students. They were really happy to study many subjects offered by GBI and FEBC.
Last week, we started a Telugu service after our English Service. Pastor Thomas, who is one of our students, is helping to organise it. Bro Joshua, who is a local, is very interested in bringing more people to our Telugu Service. He is trying to spread the Word, especially among his relatives and friends.
We thank God for helping the church in Singapore to finish renovation works of the new premises. May the Lord use this new place for the extension of His Kingdom and His glory! May the Lord bless tomorrow’s special Thanksgiving and Dedication Service. May the Lord be with you and the team as you travel to Ethiopia, Philippines etc.
Rev. Reggor Galarpe (Cebu)
Dear Pastor,
Greetings to you in our Lord’s most blessed name!
As you all look forward to the Dedication Service of Gethsemane Media Centre on Saturday, on behalf of our brethren here, I would like to convey our greetings and well wishes to the church on this momentous and joyous occasion.
I am totally in agreement, even with a resounding "Amen", to what Bro Cornelius wrote in his poem. Indeed, God is faithful! In His own good time, it pleased the Lord to bless Gethsemane BPC-Singapore with a place that does "far exceed our expectations of just a bigger space". "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).
We may not be with you physically, but please know that we rejoice together with you in spirit. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!